What attracted me to this course in particular was fact that it balances theory with practice, which makes it quite unique compared to other courses which focus nearly exclusively on a theoretical approach.

One of the really interesting things about this masters programme was that we were taught by internationally recognised academics, we also had experts and practitioners on the topics we were studying come in and actually lead our seminars; for instance, Jamie Shea (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Emerging Security Challenges) from NATO.

The course was all around excellent. I particularly enjoyed the five-day training programme, opportunity to complete a work placement, and the module diversity. The degree has helped me make a major career change. Following the degree, I am now pursuing a career that I am passionate about in national security.

I really enjoyed studying under the real leaders in my field. The course was assessed in a varied way, without too much emphasis on exams, which I believe allowed me to strengthen skills which would be more useful professionally.

Between March and June 2017, the UK suffered four separate terrorist attacks in Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park which killed 36 people and injured over 200. The Institute for Conflict, Cooperation and Security (ICCS) at the University of Birmingham brought together a cross-college panel of experts to address issues of radicalization, security and foreign policy, policing and intelligence, and counter-terrorism legislation. The panel explored the possible motivations for the attacks, review counter-terrorism policy in view of the uncertain state of UK domestic politics, and discuss how to mitigate the likelihood of similar attacks in the future.

As part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Shakespeare's Rome series, Dr Chr﻿istalla Yakinthou was invited to discuss the relevance of their current production, Antony and Cleopatra, to today's world (Friday 04 August 2017).

Written by Charlotte Galpin, Lecturer in German and European Politics, Verena Brändle, PhD student in the Department of Media, Cognition and Communication at the University of Copenhagen and Hans-Jörg Trenz is Professor for Modern European Studies in the Department of Media, Cognition and Communication at the University of Copenhagen and ARENA, University of Oslo.

Doctoral research students in IDD and POLSIS win awards at the recent University Graduate School Awards while Dr Adam Quinn wins the award for Excellence in Doctoral Research Supervision, College of Social Sciences.

Written by Dr Nicholas Martin. "By definition, though, cultural and educational exchange is not a one-way street. In its own vital interest, the UK must make the development of language skills and cultural exchange a policy priority in its plans for life after Brexit."

The German Politics Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association (PSA), supported by the Institute for German Studies at the University of Birmingham, invite proposals for papers for a one-day workshop on the theme of 'German Politics in Times of Populism'. The workshop will be held at the University of Birmingham on Friday, 17 November 2017.

Written by Professor Catherine Needham, Professor David Dunn, Dr Matt Cole, Dr Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay. "Having sought an increased majority, the Conservatives now find themselves in a minority, though still in government, and within days of the start of Brexit negotiations. The electoral process which the British public did not seek has produced an outcome few politicians wanted. It will be another test of the difficult dialogue between the political class and their frustrated electorate."